Kompany happy Man City have acquired Man Utd´s knack of scoring late goals

Vincent Kompany believes Manchester City have taken a leaf out of their arch rivals’ book and will never stop believing they can win games.

City have maintained an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with last-gasp 2-1 victories over Huddersfield and Southampton in their last two games, both late winners scored by Raheem Sterling.

The Southampton goal came six minutes into stoppage time and sparked jubilant scenes at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Vincent Kompany´s side are eight points clear at the top (Martin Rickett/PA)

Digging out maximum points in such circumstances was a hallmark of many of Manchester United’s title successes under Sir Alex Ferguson, and City captain Kompany recognises it is good trait to acquire.

The defender said: “It’s too early in the season to talk about titles but it is just good to know that you can have that feeling that at any time of the game you can make something happen. I felt it could still happen even that late in added time.

“United used to do it to everybody else, to be honest! But it’s a long season. We have done it so far but, if at the end of the season we have done it consistently, I will be happy about it.”

City have won their last 12 league games and 19 in succession in all competitions. The tightness of the last two matches, after some emphatic wins earlier in the run, possibly indicates a change in approach from opponents when facing City.

Kompany said: “From the beginning of the season through to now the games have changed completely. I wouldn’t say it is something to complain about because it just gives you that knowledge that you are going to be on top of the team you are playing, but it is something that we have to learn to deal with.

“The sooner we find a way to unlock these teams, the better it will be for our season.”

Despite the exhilaration of Sterling’s late strike against Saints, Kompany hopes City can return to winning games more convincingly.

He said: “I wouldn’t bank on it happening every week, so the sooner we start scoring earlier the better.”

Sterling has now scored 13 goals this term, already the most prolific season of his career.

Kompany said of his team-mate’s improvement: “I think it’s maybe an inner hunger, maybe that desire to be amongst the best. I can only encourage him to carry on on this path. I’ve seen the work he has put in behind the scenes and that is the way forward.”